The World Health Organization has confirmed the medical evacuation of three individuals suspected of being infected with hantavirus from a cruise ship currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. The patients are being transported to the Netherlands for specialized treatment, following a high-level coordination effort involving international health authorities and the ship’s operators.
The MV Hondius has been at the center of a global health alert since last Saturday. The alarm was raised after three passengers aboard the vessel tragically passed away, with hantavirus identified as the likely cause. The Dutch-flagged ship originally departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for an Atlantic voyage, carrying 88 passengers and 59 crew members from 23 different countries.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified that while the situation is being handled with extreme care, the broader public health risk is still considered low. Hantavirus is a rare respiratory disease typically transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. It is not commonly known for widespread person-to-person transmission, which helps limit the scope of the threat.
The evacuation carried out on Wednesday involved two crew members and a third individual. This operation was a joint effort between the WHO, Cape Verdean authorities, the Dutch ship operator Oceanwide Expeditions, and the governments of Britain and the Netherlands. So far, three cases have been officially confirmed, including one of the earlier deaths, while five other individuals remain under close observation as suspected cases.
The WHO is currently working alongside national health departments to track everyone who was on the vessel, including those who may have already disembarked. Health officials are maintaining a rigorous monitoring system for those still on board to ensure that any new symptoms are caught immediately. The goal remains to provide swift medical follow-up while preventing any potential spread as the ship remains stationary off the West African coast.
